Wright Medical Group, Inc. Introducing Knee Instrumentation as Part of

Wright Medical Group, Inc. Introducing Knee Instrumentation as Part of Its ODYSSEY Tissue Preserving Initiative

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers
    72nd Annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Meeting


    ARLINGTON, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2005--

Instrument System for Minimally Invasive Knee Procedures to Be Launched at 72nd Annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Meeting
    Wright Medical Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WMGI), a global orthopaedic medical device company, today announced the introduction of its ODYSSEY(TM) Minimally Invasive Knee Instruments at the upcoming American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting, taking place in Washington, D.C. February 23-27. The knee instrumentation is part of Wright's ODYSSEY(TM) Tissue Preserving Initiative, a minimally invasive surgery program for hip, knee and total joint resurfacing procedures. While many orthopaedic manufacturers have developed minimally invasive instruments and techniques, Wright has concentrated on offering a minimally invasive instrument system that does not require surgeons to radically change their current surgical techniques.
    The ODYSSEY(TM) Knee Instruments are designed for use with Wright's ADVANCE(R) series of knee products. Included in this product family are the ADVANCE(R) Medial Pivot Knee, which allows natural knee motion and a high level of stability when a patient's posterior cruciate ligament is damaged or resected, and the ADVANCE(R) Double-High Knee, which offers both high stability and high flexion without sacrificing the patient's posterior cruciate ligament. Designed to more closely mimic the kinematics of the natural knee, Wright's ADVANCE(R) family of knee implants has over seven years of clinical success. With the introduction of the ODYSSEY(TM) instrumentation, surgeons and patients can now experience the known benefits of this innovative knee line through a less invasive surgical approach.
    "Our goal in designing the ODYSSEY(TM) knee instrument system was to provide patients the advantages of minimally invasive knee surgery and provide surgeons a technique that is consistent with their training and experience with a knee system backed by a strong clinical history," noted Aldo Denti, Vice President and General Manager of Wright's OrthoRecon Division. "With the ODYSSEY(TM) instruments, Wright can truly assist surgeons in performing minimally invasive knee procedures with confidence."

    About Wright

    Wright Medical Group, Inc. is a global orthopaedic medical device company specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive joint devices and biologics. The Company has been in business for more than 50 years and markets its products in over 60 countries worldwide. For more information about Wright Medical, visit our website at www.wmt.com.
    This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements made in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, beliefs, estimates, and expectations and express management's current views of future performance, results, and trends. The Company wishes to caution readers that actual results might differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003), which could cause the Company's actual results to materially differ from those described in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements are accurate, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate. A forward-looking statement should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the results described therein will be achieved. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement after this date.

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CONTACT: Wright Medical Group, Inc. John K. Bakewell, 901-867-4527

KEYWORD: TENNESSEE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL DEVICES TRADESHOW PRODUCT CONFERENCE CALLS SOURCE: Wright Medical Group, Inc.

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